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Trip from Owensboro, KY to Crittenden, KY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 40m

Distance

191.9 mi

309 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 28m ★
6 AM
3h 40m
8 AM
4h 5m
10 AM
3h 49m
12 PM
3h 46m
3 PM
3h 50m
5 PM
4h 4m
8 PM
3h 33m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Owensboro, KY, KY

Owensboro, KY

Wikimedia Commons

city in Grant and Kenton counties in the U.S. state of Kentucky

Crittenden, KY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Owensboro to Crittenden is 191.9 miles and takes about 3h 40m via I 71, I 64, and US 60, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Kentucky, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's a straightforward drive, predominantly highway, making it a solid choice for a single-day journey. You'll likely find the route efficient for getting from point A to point B without many detours. Consider this a practical option when you need to cover ground quickly within the state.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

96 miles from Owensboro, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 71 67.3 mi 1h 12m
I 64 64.5 mi 1h 10m
US 60 30.4 mi 38m
SR 265 7.4 mi 8m
I 265 6.4 mi 7m
I 75 6 mi 6m
West 4th Street 4.1 mi 7m
Gene Snyder Freeway 3.4 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 71 — 67.3 mi, about 1h 12m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Owensboro, KY and Crittenden, KY.

1

Start on Frederica Street

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Frederica Street
2

Turn left onto West 4th Street

4.1 mi · 7 min · West 4th Street
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Use the left lane.
4

Merge onto US 60; US 231

2.1 mi · 2 min · US 60; US 231
5

Keep slight right at fork onto US 60; US 231

28 mi · 35 min · US 60; US 231
Use the left / straight lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
7

Merge onto I 64

64 mi · 1 hr 10 min · I 64
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 265; SR 62

6.4 mi · 7 min · I 265; SR 62
Exit 121 Toward I 265 East, SR 62 East
9

Continue on SR 265; SR 62

7.4 mi · 8 min · SR 265; SR 62
10

Continue on KY 841

3.4 mi · 3 min · Gene Snyder Freeway
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward I 71 North: Cincinnati Use the right lane.
12

Merge onto I 71

67 mi · 1 hr 12 min · I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Exit 77 Toward I 75 South: Lexington Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto I 75

6.0 mi · 6 min · I 75
Toward I 75 South: Lexington Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 47 sec
Exit 166 Toward KY 491: Crittenden Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Turn left onto KY 491

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Violet Road
17

At end of road, turn right onto US 25; KY 491

0.2 mi · 14 sec · South Main Street
Use the right lane.
18

Arrive at destination

US 25; KY 491

Trip Plan

Given the 3h 40m estimated duration, you can comfortably complete this drive in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow for flexibility and a relaxed pace. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 67.3 miles on I 71, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before or after this segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $30, ensure your tank is full before leaving Owensboro, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 96 miles from Owensboro, KY, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.3 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 42 miles or 54m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 96 miles or 1h 53m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 1m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Crittenden, KY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Owensboro, KY so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Owensboro, KY

This is one driving day of about 191.9 miles and 3h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Owensboro, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 71 for about 67.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Greenville, IN, IN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Greenville, IN

96 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Santa Claus, IN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Greenville, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 96 miles from Owensboro, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 6.5 and 191.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
6.5 mi into trip | ~10m in | US 60; US 231

Keep slight right at fork onto US 60; US 231

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.
7
99.8 mi into trip | ~1h 58m in | I 265; SR 62

Keep slight left at fork onto I 265; SR 62 toward I 265 East, SR 62 East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 121 Toward I 265 East, SR 62 East
6
117.1 mi into trip | ~2h 18m in

Take the exit toward I 71 North: Cincinnati

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward I 71 North: Cincinnati
8
184.7 mi into trip | ~3h 31m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 75 South: Lexington

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 77 Toward I 75 South: Lexington
7
191.1 mi into trip | ~3h 38m in

Take the exit toward KY 491: Crittenden

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 166 Toward KY 491: Crittenden

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$30.00 one way

$60.00 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 67 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $32.94 $65.88
premium $4.89 $36.93 $73.86
diesel $5.61 $42.37 $84.74

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 67.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 57.6 0 $20.15 $9.21
Efficient EV 48 0 $16.79 $7.68
EV Truck/SUV 76.8 0 $26.87 $12.28

Gas CO2

67 kg

EV CO2

22 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Owensboro, KY

Night in Owensboro on Saturday

Local time

11:23 PM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Crittenden, KY

Late night in Crittenden on Sunday

Local time

12:23 AM

EDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

69°F

Greenville, IN

96 mi in

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

1 hour later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

23 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 40m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 97% of the journey on major roads like I 71, I 64, and US 60. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 67.3 miles on I 71, offering a consistent pace for a good portion of your travel. The character is largely about efficient travel, with the interstate system forming the backbone of this route. Expect a driving experience that prioritizes speed and directness over winding backroads or particularly varied terrain.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.3 mi on I 71.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and I 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.5 miles in near US 60; US 231.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 191.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 6.5 miles (US 60; US 231): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 99.8 miles (I 265; SR 62): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 117.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 40m. Total distance: 191.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 67.3 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Crittenden, KY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 6.5 miles (US 60; US 231): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 99.8 miles (I 265; SR 62): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 117.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Crittenden, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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